LCC ‘underachieving’ on the weekend

Lenoir Community College right fielder Ryan Cobb catches a fly ball in the top of the second inning during Thursday's game against Louisburg College. LCC amassed eight runs on just one hit in the bottom of the first.

Zach Frailey / The Free Press

By Jessika Morgan / Sports Editor

Published: Friday, April 11, 2014 at 11:38 PM.

Lenoir Community College doesn’t struggle against teams during the week.

Coach Stony Wine says it the weekend series that have caused issues for his Lancers this season.

LCC is 5-1 this season in its weekend series.

“We’ve been playing better during the week this year than we have on the weekend,” he said. “We’re underachieving on the weekend, I guess. We beat Pitt (Community College), we beat Louisburg (Community College), but it’s time for us to play like we’re capable, and we haven’t done that on any weekend, I feel, against a quality opponent.”

The Lancers opened the home half of the first inning with eight runs off just two hits, helping to put the game out of reach early for the Hurricanes. Starting Louisburg pitcher Graham Craig-Crouch, a freshman, walked seven batters to start the game.

Louisburg managed to answer in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. LCC’s defense and standard pitching rotation for games during the week kept the contest tight and prevented the Canes from coming back.

Lenoir Community College doesn’t struggle against teams during the week.

Coach Stony Wine says it the weekend series that have caused issues for his Lancers this season.

LCC is 5-1 this season in its weekend series.

“We’ve been playing better during the week this year than we have on the weekend,” he said. “We’re underachieving on the weekend, I guess. We beat Pitt (Community College), we beat Louisburg (Community College), but it’s time for us to play like we’re capable, and we haven’t done that on any weekend, I feel, against a quality opponent.”

The Lancers opened the home half of the first inning with eight runs off just two hits, helping to put the game out of reach early for the Hurricanes. Starting Louisburg pitcher Graham Craig-Crouch, a freshman, walked seven batters to start the game.

Louisburg managed to answer in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. LCC’s defense and standard pitching rotation for games during the week kept the contest tight and prevented the Canes from coming back.

Until the final inning.

The Lancers got a bit too loose in the final inning, having a 12-6 lead.

“We’re trying to recognize as a team the defining moment in the game, whether it’s in the first inning or the last,” Wine said. “We’ve been out here for three hours playing a game, but it might come in the last inning. We’re working on that and that’s helping us finish the game off like we should.”

Louisburg’s Christian Snider led off the top of the ninth with a double to left-center field. Ryan Blakewas on the mound to close the game but gave up five hits in the frame. Louisburg’s rally included two runs but was no good as it was just too far behind.

“It got coach Wine a riled up,” LCC starting pitcher Brandon Tant said of Louisburg’s performance in the last inning. “We realized our lead wasn’t as big as we thought it was and that we did fall asleep.”

The Lancers host Danville Community College today at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday at noon

Lenoir Community College to host NJCAA Division III baseball championship

The National Junior College Athletic Association committee announced this week that Lenoir Community College would host the Division III baseball World Series from 2015 to 2017.

The committee chose 13 sites for several championship events in the association.

“Even though we’re a Division II school, it’s still nice to have that here,” Wine said. “It’s great for the community, it’s great for the town and it’s great for baseball.”

This year’s Division III baseball World Series will be played at Mike Carter Field in Tyer, Texas.

“Maybe one day, we’ll get another minor league team, but until then,” said Wine, “it’s great to have these events.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.